Seagrove man charged with cruelty to animals

SEAGROVE — A Seagrove man was charged on Friday after a horse rescued from his property died at the Southern Pines Equine Clinic despite efforts to save it.

SEAGROVE — A Seagrove man was charged on Friday after a horse rescued from his property died at the Southern Pines Equine Clinic despite efforts to save it.

Rocky Wallace Chriscoe, 33, 216 Wilkes Road, Seagrove, was being sought on other charges in Randolph and Moore counties when the horse was found at his residence on Sept. 16.

Chriscoe was charged with felony cruelty to animals and probation violation by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office and warrants for resisting a public officer and operating a vehicle with fictitious vehicle registration on Sept. 16.

Moore County Sheriff’s Capt. William Mackey said deputies found the injured horse tied to a tree near Chriscoe’s residence while attempting to locate him to serve the warrants. Investigators notified Moore County Animal Control officers who responded to assess the horse’s condition. The horse was malnourished and several severe wounds on his back and abdomen required immediate medical care.

Investigators received information from several witnesses that the suspect was using the horse to elude deputies, Mackey said in a press release.

Officers transported the horse for treatment through the Southern Pines Equine Clinic and Healing Hearts Equine Rescue. Doctors and equine rescue members worked through the night to save the animal but were unsuccessful due to the severity of the injuries and the horse’s malnourished condition.

When he was located, Chriscoe attempted to flee the arresting deputies while carrying his 2-year-old daughter.

Chriscoe was confined in the Moore County Detention Center with a total bond of $22,500.